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of cholera in families are to be found, partly from the negligence, and
partly from the ignorance of householders in the dwellings of persons
far above the rank of those with whom we have most officially to do.
I shall shortly lay before the Sanitary Committee a joint memorandum
upon the subject issued by the Metropolitan Medical Officers of Health,
a copy of which I propose, with the sanction of the Committee, to
forward to each member of the Vestry and Board of Trustees. Some
of its recommendations have already been adopted, others will have to
be considered in due time. For my own part, I propose occupying the
next few weeks in looking to the following specific points in respect to
the dwellings of the poor, viz.:—their cleanliness, the removal of
refuse matters, the trapping of house drains, and the condition of the
water receptacles. I would earnestly beg of the owners of such
property to push on all necessary amendments of this character, as they
may depend upon it, it will be to their own pecuniary interest that
their tenants shall be placed under favourable conditions at the commencement
of the anticipated outbreak.
EDWARD BALLARD, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Vestry Offices,
May 7th, 1866.